JP4046539B2 - Mobile camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile camera, and more particularly to a mobile camera that can simultaneously perform a plurality of image processing without pressing processing other than image processing in a mobile phone or the like having an imaging function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional mobile camera will be described by taking a mobile phone having an imaging function as an example.
In a mobile phone having an imaging function, an imaging device, an image processor, and a central processing unit are connected in series. Then, the image captured by the image pickup device is converted into an appropriate image by the image processor, and the central processing unit distributes it to a storage device, a display device, or the like according to the intended use.
In such a mobile camera, the image data is converted into an image file, a moving image file, etc. and then stored in the storage device, or is converted according to the specifications of the display device and then transferred to the display device. In many cases, the central processing unit performs image processing on the image data once processed by the image processor.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such image reprocessing, processing other than image processing is under pressure. In addition, since the preview screen and moving image processing at the time of imaging require real-time processing, the load on the image processing itself increases.
For this reason, the conventional mobile camera has a problem that it is very difficult to perform a plurality of image processing simultaneously.
[0004]
The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and provides a mobile camera capable of reducing the load on the central processing unit and transferring a plurality of images sequentially or simultaneously. Objective.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The mobile camera according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of image transfer buffers are provided for each use purpose of an image.
[0006]
Here, the images stored in the respective image transfer buffers may be transferred simultaneously or sequentially.
[0007]
The mobile camera according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a plurality of image processing paths in which the processing method of the images stored in the respective image transfer buffers can be set independently.
Here, each of the image processing paths may be capable of setting a color space of the image, each of the images may be cut out at an arbitrary position and an arbitrary size, and each of the images may be reduced and enlarged to an arbitrary size. Alternatively, the frame rate of each moving image may be arbitrarily adjustable.
[0008]
Since the mobile camera according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, a plurality of image processing can be performed without imposing a load on the central processing unit, and processing other than image processing is not compressed. .
[0009]
In addition, the mobile camera according to the present invention can further expand the image processing path in accordance with the image processing method born by the new technology, and can expand the function without affecting the conventional image processing path. Is possible.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a mobile camera according to the present invention will be described based on specific examples shown in the drawings.
[0011]
<Example 1>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the mobile camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, 1 is an image pickup device, and 2 is an image processor. The image processor 2 includes a plurality of image processing paths (1), (2),..., (N). Further, A is an output signal group of the image pickup device 1, B is an image processor 2, and an image processing path (1) included therein, an image processing path (2), an input signal group of the image processing path (n), and C1 is an image. An output signal group of the processing path (1), C2 is an output signal group of the image processing path (2), and Cn is an output signal group of the image processing path (n). Each image processing path (1), (2),..., (N) includes an image processing unit and an image storage buffer.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile camera according to the first embodiment receives an image by the image pickup device 1 and outputs image data captured in the output signal group A. This image data is output signal group A-input signal group B-image processing path (1), output signal group A-input signal group B-image processing path (2), output signal group A-input signal group B-image processing. Image processing as set is performed on route (n).
The image processing path (1), the image processing path (2),..., And the image processing path (n) each include an image storage buffer, and output signal groups C1, C2 according to the requirements of the subsequent apparatus. ,..., Cn output image data independently of each other.
[0013]
<Example 2>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the mobile camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, 1 is an image pickup device, 2 is an image processor, 3 is a data bus, 4 is a central processing unit, 5 is a display device, and 6 is a storage device. The image processor 2 includes a plurality of image processing paths (1), (2),..., (N). Further, A is an output signal group of the image pickup device 1, B is an image processor 2, and an image processing path (1), an image processing path (2) and an input signal group of the image processing path (n) included therein, and D1 is an image. An output signal group of the processing path (1), D2 is an output signal group of the image processing path (2), Dn is an output signal group of the image processing path (n), and E is an interface between the data bus 3 and the central processing unit 4. A signal group, F is an input signal group of the display device 5, and G is an input signal group of the storage device 6. Each image processing path (1), (2),..., (N) includes an image processing unit and an image storage buffer.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile camera according to the second embodiment receives an image by the image pickup device 1 and outputs image data captured in the output signal group A. This image data is output signal group A-input signal group B-image processing path (1), output signal group A-input signal group B-image processing path (2), output signal group A-input signal group B-image processing. Image processing as set is performed on route (n).
[0015]
The image processing path (1) includes an image storage buffer. Upon request from the central processing unit 4, the image processing path (1) to the central processing unit 4 via the path of the image processing path (1) -D1-data bus 3 is used. Image data is transferred.
Similarly, the image data of the image processing path (2) is directly transferred to the display device 5 through the path of image processing path (2) -D2-F. Similarly, the image data of the image processing path (n) is directly transferred to the storage device 6 through the path of image processing path (n) -Dn-G.
[0016]
Image processing path (1) -D1-data bus 3-path of central processing unit 4, image processing path (2) -D2-F-path of display device 5, image processing path (n) -Dn-G-store Since the paths of the devices 6 are independent from each other, image data transfer can be performed simultaneously.
[0017]
<Example 3>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 3, 1 is an image pickup device, 2 is an image processor, 3 'is a data bus, 4' is a central processing unit, 5 'is a display device, and 6' is a storage device. The image processor 2 includes a plurality of image processing paths (1), (2),..., (N). Further, A is an output signal group of the image pickup device 1, B is an image processor 2, and an image processing path (1), an image processing path (2) and an input signal group of the image processing path (n) included therein, and H1 is an image. The output signal group of the processing path (1), H2 is the output signal group of the image processing path (2), Hn is the output signal group of the image processing path (n), and I is between the data bus 3 'and the central processing unit 4'. J is an interface signal group between the data bus 3 'and the display device 5', and K is an interface signal group between the data bus 3 'and the storage device 6'. Each image processing path (1), (2),..., (N) includes an image processing unit and an image storage buffer.
[0018]
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mobile camera according to the third embodiment receives an image by the image pickup device 1 and outputs image data captured in the output signal group A. This image data is output signal group A-input signal group B-image processing path (1), output signal group A-input signal group B-image processing path (2), output signal group A-input signal group B-image processing. Image processing as set is performed on route (n).
[0019]
Each of the image processing path (1), the image processing path (2), and the image processing path (n) includes an image storage buffer, and the data bus 3 'is connected to the central processing unit 4' according to a request. Via, the image data is exclusively output from any one of the output signal groups H1, H2, and Hn.
[0020]
The output image data is input to the central processing unit 4 'through the path of H1-data bus 3'-I, H2-data bus 3'-I or Hn-data bus 3'-I.
Further, the central processing unit 4 'distributes the received image data to the display device 5' by the route of the I-data bus 3'-J or the route of the I-data bus 3'-K according to the use. Sort to storage device 6 '.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
Since the mobile camera according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, there is no need for the central processing unit to perform a plurality of image processing, and the central processing unit can concentrate on processing other than image processing.
Therefore, the load on the central processing unit is reduced, and a plurality of images can be transferred sequentially or simultaneously.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up device 2 Image processor 3, 3 'Data bus 4, 4' Central processing unit 5, 5 'Display device 6, 6' Memory device A Output signal group B of image pick-up device Input signal group C1, image processor D1, H1 Image processing path (1) output signal groups C2, D2, H2 Image processing path (2) output signal groups Cn, Dn, Hn Image processing path (n) output signal groups E, I Data bus and center Interface signal group F between arithmetic processors Input signal group G of display device Input signal group J of storage device Interface signal group K between data bus and display device Interface signal group between data bus and storage device

Claims (3)

Multiple image transfer buffers according to image usage ,
A plurality of image processing paths capable of independently setting the processing method of the images stored in each of the image transfer buffers;
Have
Each of the image processing paths can set a color space of an image, respectively . Multiple image transfer buffers according to image usage,
A plurality of image processing paths capable of independently setting the processing method of the images stored in each of the image transfer buffers;
Have
Wherein each of the image processing path, wherein the to makes the chromophore at the distal end Vile camera that each is capable cut out image at an arbitrary position and an arbitrary size. Multiple image transfer buffers according to image usage,
A plurality of image processing paths capable of independently setting the processing method of the images stored in each of the image transfer buffers;
Have
Wherein each of the image processing path, wherein the to makes the chromophore at the distal end Vile camera that each is optionally adjustable video frame rate.

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